February 2009

After hearing a number of complaints and concerns regarding
the government of Union Township, I decided to attend their February 10th
meeting. What I found was exactly the opposite of what I was looking for.

The Trustees voted to put all meeting minutes and other
public documents on the township web site. They also voted to double their
public meetings to every 2nd and 4th Tuesday.
Additionally, Trustee Donnellon, outlined and explained in simple terms, the Ivy
Point complex and how the investment has benefited all parties involved
including Union Township. (This movement toward openness and full disclosure is
in addition to several reforms that they have instituted over the last several
months to prevent improprieties and better control expenses.)

Several citizens addressed the Trustees on various issues.
Every concern was publically discussed with the person in a respectful and
professional manner.

Broad conclusions can’t be drawn from attending one
meeting, but first impressions are drawn. Frankly, I’m impressed. My
confidence in our Trustees has been restored. I intend to continue attending
their meetings and I encourage others to do the same. Public scrutiny is always
a good thing.

Unfortunately, the West Clermont
Board of Education unanimously voted to place a 1 percent income tax on the
March 4, 2008 ballot. Although the Board members are good people, mean well, and
are performing a thankless task, they have made a mistake by moving forward with
this.

A school income tax will shift
the primary burden of funding from all property owners (including businesses) to
middle class wage earners. The very rich will be exempt because income from
interest, dividends, and capital gains are not considered “earned income”
and therefore not subject to the additional 1 percent tax. Business owners will
contribute less to school funding as current property tax levies start to roll
off.

The bottom line is that the
income tax will shift the primary burden of taxation from all residential and
business properties and concentrate the burden on middle class wage earners who
live in West Clermont. No reciprocity is available regardless of where we work.
And no one living outside of West Clermont will be subject to the tax even if
they work here.

Taxes, of any kind, are punitive
and widely despised:

Income taxes discourage production

Sales taxes discourage consumption

Property taxes depress real estate values

Intangible taxes (stocks, bonds, capital gains) discourage
investment

The income tax is the most
destructive of these. Lack of a local income tax was one of the key reasons that
I chose to move to this community. Additionally, if a local income tax becomes
law, high income people will be discouraged from moving into this community. And
those considering leaving will be given a push. West Clermont does not need more
low income people demanding more and more community resources. We need to
encourage high income people to move here, not drive them away.

I understand the need to fund the
schools and strong schools foster a strong community. Being as a school system
can’t enact a sales tax, the property tax is the best option. Property taxes
are paid by everybody living in the community. (Landlords pass on the tax as
part of the rent.) An income tax would shift the burden of school funding to
only those residents with earned income. West Clermont needs more residents with
earned income, not fewer.

As you know, I am current on my mortgage and have never
been late on a payment. However, we need change and I’ve decided to embrace
socialism. Therefore, effective immediately, I will no longer be making any
mortgage payments. Please forward all future invoices to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.,
Washington, DC 20500.

The proposed tax will shift the
primary burden of funding from all property owners (including businesses) to
middle class wage earners. The very rich will be exempt because income from
interest, dividends, and capital gains are not considered “earned income”
and therefore not subject to the additional 1 percent tax. Business owners will
contribute less to school funding as current property tax levies start to roll
off.

The bottom line is that the
income tax will shift the primary burden of taxation from all residential and
business properties and concentrate the burden on middle class wage earners who
live in West Clermont. No reciprocity is available regardless of where we work.
And no one living outside of West Clermont will be subject to the tax even if
they work here.

And if all of that isn’t bad
enough, the school treasurer has promised to continue recommending additional
property tax levies even if the earnings tax passes!

Property taxes are the best
available option. They are paid by everybody living in the community. (Landlords
pass on the tax as part of the rent.) I strongly recommend that residents vote
no and not discourage high earned income families from wanting to live here.